Chief Executive Officer

Avra Search Partners is proud to partner with Brave Space Alliance in the search for a Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Overview: Brave Space Alliance (BSA), a community-anchored LGBTQ+ center on Chicago’s South Side, is seeking a courageous and operationally skilled Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next era of stability, cultural cohesion, and expanded community impact. Founded in 2017 to fill a profound gap in affirming, culturally competent services for trans, gender‑expansive, and LGBTQ+ people, particularly throughout Chicago’s South Side, BSA has become a vital hub for health, housing, food justice, and mutual aid.

Today, BSA stands at an inflection point. The organization has reinforced financial stability, strengthened program operations, and renewed donor momentum, while continuing to build the internal infrastructure needed to sustain its growth amid a shifting political landscape for trans communities. BSA’s staff, leadership, and Board describe this moment as one of possibility and alignment: an opportunity to deepen organizational clarity, nurture a warm and cohesive culture, and further elevate BSA’s role as a trusted community anchor.

Building on the leadership of Channyn Lynn Parker, former CEO and Board Emeritus, BSA’s next CEO will be a values‑led, trauma‑informed, systems‑building leader who can pair strategic vision with operational execution. They will be deeply relational and visible within community spaces, while also bringing the clarity, direction, and steadiness needed to strengthen internal systems, develop staff, enhance partnerships, and guide the organization with integrity.

While knowledge of Chicago’s South Side communities is an asset and will help ground the work in place‑based history and context, this national search welcomes candidates from outside Chicago who bring the humility, cultural fluency, and curiosity to learn from the community BSA serves.

The salary range for this position is $140,000-$180,000
, commensurate with experience, along with a competitive benefits package.

Candidates may submit a resume with a tailored letter to express interest in the role.

We welcome confidential inquiries and expressions of interest via email to:

Chartise Clark
Founder & Managing Partner Avra Search Partners

Submitted materials will be reviewed regularly, with a priority deadline of:
Friday, February 27th at 5:00 PM CT

We believe in turning moments of transition into moments of transformation.

Avra Search Partners is a national executive search and leadership advisory firm committed to placing transformative leaders in mission‑driven organizations. We partner with a wide range of nonprofits and impact‑focused businesses, including foundations, advocacy organizations, associations, and artistic and cultural institutions, to design search strategies that honor organizational values and help institutions thrive.

We specialize in high‑touch, selective engagements that combine evidence‑informed evaluation with a relational approach, helping institutions build stronger futures through exceptional leadership.

With a deep commitment to inclusion, resilience, and leadership excellence, Avra helps clients identify and attract outstanding candidates from a range of backgrounds, including individuals who have historically had limited access to executive opportunities. Our work centers on expanding the leadership pipeline, strengthening governance, and ensuring organizations are supported by leaders equipped to guide their next chapter.